Children lined the barriers with tricolours and banners for Teams Katie, Ellen and Orla, eager to give the athletes a well-earned hero’s welcome.
Cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy couldn’t be blamed for getting used to winning on the global stage.
Ireland team members arriving at Terminal 2 Dublin Airport, after competing at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Summer Games. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
As one of Ireland’s most decorated athletes, she has no fewer than 23 World and Paralympic medals to her name. But the novelty is yet to wear off.
“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?,” Dunlevy said as she proudly displayed a complete set of gold, silver and bronze medals, each encasing a piece of original iron taken from the Eiffel Tower.
It wasn’t quite the top step of the podium in her last race with long-time pilot Eve McCrystal, but as the final moment of a decade-long partnership, that silver medal may be the most meaningful of all.
“Going into that race we were up against it. I wasn’t being negative as such but I was trying to be realistic. We were lucky to get a medal and for me and Eve to get one for our last competition together just means so much after everything we’ve been through the last 10 years,” Dunlevy said.
“After all the highs and lows it’s just so special. We’re just so used to each other and we aim high together, so her stepping away will be something to get used to. I possibly am going to carry on to LA but I’m not sure yet.
“Having another pilot [Linda Kelly] will be another new challenge, in some ways it might be a good thing for the last bit of my career. It’s always good to find new challenges.”
The run-up to Paris was a challenge in itself. The low point for Dunlevy came in May when she broke her collarbone in a crash during a race in Italy, a race she remarkably finished alongside McCrystal to secure Paralympic qualification.
“We’ve had so many challenges, having a new pilot with Linda and breaking my collarbone. It’s been a really challenging last few years, I’ve had to be really strong. To deliver in those races under pressure, I’m delighted. It takes its toll, it’s exhausting,” she said.
There’s no rest for the weary, however. Dunlevy and Kelly have the Para-Cycling Road World Championships to prepare for later this month.
“I’m thinking about getting on the bike tomorrow. The last few days I haven’t quite eaten well, it’s just been pizza and burgers so I need to eat well, sleep and get training. I’ll celebrate after the World Championships,” Dunlevy said.
As swimmer Róisín Ní Ríain reflected on her Games so too did she look forward to Los Angeles in 2028, a sign that her first taste of the podium has only motivated her to push even further.
At just 19 she has two Paralympics under her belt and two medals in the bag. Two fourth-place finishes in her other two finals aren’t weighing on her mind.
“For my first swim, I came into that event in fifth so I was delighted to come fourth. With the other fourth place, I was capable of much better so that’s for the future. That’ll motivate me for the next year and the next cycle throughout my training. I’ll be able to use it as fuel.”
After the Covid-restricted environment of Tokyo three years ago, the Drombanna, Co Limerick native was pleased to win her medals and receive a proper homecoming in front of family and friends.
“This is so different to what we experienced in Tokyo. This was my first big competition where some of the people were able to come over and watch so that was special, as much for me as it was for them.”
All six of Ireland’s medals in Paris were won by women with vision impairments, an achievement Ní Ríain is proud to have been a part of.
“That’s really special to me. For us, to think that we’re inspiring children with vision impairments but also with physical impairments and for those without impairments as well, to be able to inspire any young kids in the generation that’s coming up is really nice,” she said.
Raheny’s own Orla Comerford broke onto the scene as an 18-year-old when she made her category’s 100m final in Rio.
Tokyo was a more difficult outing due to injury struggles and the death of her coach Brian Corcoran, making a bronze medal in the 100m this time out all the sweeter.
“It means a huge amount to me but I hope it also means a lot to my support system because without me I wouldn’t be here. This medal is as much theirs as it is mine,” she said.
“Brian’s wife Connie and his son Barry are here. It’s really special to see them and have them in this moment too because it makes it feel like Brian’s here too.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris said the joyous scenes in Dublin Airport at the return of Ireland’s Paralympic team “is not only the least our athletes deserve, but it’s the least anyone who has spent time with Team Ireland would expect”.
“Our team’s energy, enthusiasm, and level of support from their army of travelling fans has been infectious to watch and be around,” he said.
“I said in Paris at the opening of the games that the time I had spent with Team Ireland was among the most inspiring in my time as Taoiseach.
“That was before a single event was contested. What the team went on to do in the games will not only inspire this generation of Paralympic athletes, but those looking towards the next games as well as all of us watching on.
“Congratulations to every one of you and make sure you enjoy the rest of the homecomings in your communities with your families.
“Ireland is incredibly proud of you.”
